@jiggins7919 said:

Ya know, you could be right. I wouldn't be as concerned if we had proven veterans playing ahead of Gilbert, but we have Bademosi (not a cornerback), Desir (much later pick from tiny school), and now Gaines. I would really like to see Gilbert be able to beat these guys out, and if he can't, what future does he have? I don't want to slam Gilbert, I only want to see him succeed. But as the games continue to come and go, the general feeling I'm getting is Gilbert is on the fast track to not even be on the team next year. I have no factual basis for this, but being a healthy scratch when the position he plays is depleted by injury...doesn't look good.

I know it's more hope than not but I also recall hearing the term "growing pains" and in the nfl that can only mean losing games. Or like restoring an old car, you don't paint it first...lol

@flyingfooldoug said:

Ya know, you could be right. I wouldn't be as concerned if we had proven veterans playing ahead of Gilbert, but we have Bademosi (not a cornerback), Desir (much later pick from tiny school), and now Gaines. I would really like to see Gilbert be able to beat these guys out, and if he can't, what future does he have? I don't want to slam Gilbert, I only want to see him succeed. But as the games continue to come and go, the general feeling I'm getting is Gilbert is on the fast track to not even be on the team next year. I have no factual basis for this, but being a healthy scratch when the position he plays is depleted by injury...doesn't look good.

@jiggins7919 said:

Lord I hope so...I really do. Our team is desperate for "first round talent", and there is an excellent article floating around out there that lays out all of our blown opportunities, and how that is costing us now. I think all of the fans are just hoping and wishing that the light will come on for Gilbert, but after seeing him as a healthy scratch...I'm doubtful that will ever happen. I remember reading during the offseason how Gilbert was working hard, he's training with Haden, his personal problems had been resolved. I had very high hopes for the guy, and I honestly don't expect him to realize his vast potential.

But you're right, the practice aspect is what I've heard as well. The confusing part of that is the coaches said he practiced very well for two weeks, which is why he received meaningful snaps against the Bengals. So what happened during the next week that warranted him being a scratch? Several reporters asked that very same question at a press conference I watched, and the DB coach basically didn't answer the question. It was very frustrating, and you could get a sense the members of the media were frustrated as well.

Gilbert has two weeks to show he deserves to be out there. Cmon kid...

It doesn't seem like they are rushing the rookies into starting and rotating the ones that play. Big kids playing with big grown men can be rough. A little tough love and lotsa work on technique could be just the trick.

@clevfan4life said:

Hate to say it- but MHO drafting a CB high is one of the safer picks in draft roulette- they rarely bust. Anyone notice Patrick Peterson hounding AJ Green last night?

@flyingfooldoug said:

What I pick up on is about practice. Good practice week, he plays. He's young and has talent. My thinking is that they want him and are working hard to harness his talent. Could be a 3rd year break out...hope, hope!

Bungles Dre Kirkpatrick took a couple of years for the light to come on.

@texasag1969 said:

He should be treated exactly they way they are treating Manziel. Put him out there as starter the last 6 games and let him sink or swim. He does absolutely nothing for this team as a "healthy scratch". And what the hell is that anyway? I never heard that term either in the NFL or College level until the Browns used it. Ridiculous.

^+1. Time to let all the young guys play. Sort out draft needs for next year. I agree with one of the previous posters. It's hard to believe Gilbert could have done any worse than Bademosi attempting to cover Antonio Brown. Gilbert has one thing you can't coach- and that's sub 4.4 speed.

Fucking Disney....won't let it be watched on youtube link.

@tour2ma said:

And here I thought it was a baseball term to describe the typical behavior caught on camera.

@texasag1969 said:

... "healthy scratch". And what the hell is that anyway? I never heard that term either in the NFL or College level until the Browns used it. Ridiculous.

Hockey term... Hockey is a game played on ice...

Completely appropriate for use by the NFL.

@texasag1969 said:

I have to agree. If he was practicing well enough for two weeks to play against an undefeated team, just what in the hell happened? Considering the devastating injuries we've suffered to our secondary, you'd think he'd be out there. Nobody can tell me he would have been worse than Gaines or Bademosi against Pittsburgh.

@flyingfooldoug said:

Lord I hope so...I really do. Our team is desperate for "first round talent", and there is an excellent article floating around out there that lays out all of our blown opportunities, and how that is costing us now. I think all of the fans are just hoping and wishing that the light will come on for Gilbert, but after seeing him as a healthy scratch...I'm doubtful that will ever happen. I remember reading during the offseason how Gilbert was working hard, he's training with Haden, his personal problems had been resolved. I had very high hopes for the guy, and I honestly don't expect him to realize his vast potential.

But you're right, the practice aspect is what I've heard as well. The confusing part of that is the coaches said he practiced very well for two weeks, which is why he received meaningful snaps against the Bengals. So what happened during the next week that warranted him being a scratch? Several reporters asked that very same question at a press conference I watched, and the DB coach basically didn't answer the question. It was very frustrating, and you could get a sense the members of the media were frustrated as well.

Gilbert has two weeks to show he deserves to be out there. Cmon kid...

@jiggins7919 said:

Won't be announced until game day, too many variables that can dictate it.

However, I think there were at least a couple of posters that mentioned Buster Skrine. . .

@PFF: Most penalties by a CB in 1yr since '07:

B.Skrine 17 (2014)

S.Routt 17 (2011)

B.Browner 15 (2015)

B.Browner 15 (2014)

B.Browner 15 (2011)

From what I understand about Bowe, he didn't report to camp in great shape, and about the only he ran was his mouth. He caught a few balls against Cincy, but he looked SLOW. Maybe the bye week will provide him with enough time to get that hammie healed up. Something tells me it's more than that though.

Then the guy who was supposed to be the stud on the other side is a worthless POS that the coaching staff despises.

They need to trade Haden in the offseason if possible. He is around a 14 a year cap hit through 2019. As far as Gilbert goes, maybe the new staff coming in can do something with him.

When they played Gaines last week, I pretty much decided that they must be done with Gilbert.....

What a massive disappointment.....he coulda been great....

Maybe he will be....someday.....somewhere else.....